I had a harder time with this essay than anything I’ve written previously. My favorite show has got to be Soul Eater. I have seen the first three episodes more times than I can count, due to the fact that I’ve felt the absolute need to show it to every single person who would sit down and watch it with me. “You have to at least watch the first three episodes” it was like the law of watching the show with me. If you have seen Soul Eater, then you’d know that these episodes are each dedicated to one of the three main groups. While the show itself is controversial due to its ending in comparison to the manga, I have such a love for the animation, voice acting, and style. I would love to say that the anime is peak animation however I know a good chunk of this love comes from nostalgia. The show, and the manga it’s based on, is riddled with all things that make early 2000’s anime what they were. Nosebleeds, fan service, straying away from the source material, all things that make it a little cringey, but also so nostalgic of the time. Soul Eater was one of the first anime I had watched when I was introduced japanese animation it in middle school. The concept of people having a deep soul connection was beautiful to me, but the idea of people turning into weapons and a strong lead female character also made it seem awesome. I binged it over fall break, and I began to collect the manga. It really sort of set the scene for me as an anime fan. The idea that these stories could be so outlandish but so powerful. It spoke of true friendship but also allowed characters to feel real pain and emotions. I felt like Maka, the main protagonist, spoke to me on my own tweenage girl level with her father issues and her need to be the best. I felt a connection to a lead girl who wasn’t always strong, but also knew how to kick butt. Whenever I do feel myself getting down I know I can turn on Soul Eater and just genuinely enjoy the goofiness of it all. I find myself connecting to the characters In a completely different way as I rewatch again and again, and I know that as I continue to watch new shows I will compare it to the feelings I had when I first watched Soul Eater in the sixth grade.